I’ve written a lot about themes and audiences, but what about vibes?
At the Strike of Twelve
Raiden c/o One Boat Crew
spoilers
What interests me most about At the Strike of Twelve is the way it establishes and maintains a mood throughout its short narrative. It features abrupt shifts in perspective, which have a nicely bewildering effect. Repeating motifs and sensory details create narrative and emotional anchors that keep the player steady, even when things feel off-balance. Such motifs include the detective’s callouses hands and recurring sounds.
Despite the presence of a detective, I felt the story was more mysterious than it was a mystery, and I mean this in a good way. I had strong feelings of curiosity and dread as I read on. I’d also like to acknowledge that At the Strike of Twelve features a graveyard, a ghost, a monster, and a murder. I really appreciate this work’s commitment to the spirit of this jam, as it features strong use of recognizable genre elements and even stronger vibes.